Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "名前", "おなまえ", "名目", "有名無実"
All represent the core concept "name", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
名前
なまえ (namae)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
おなまえ
おなまえ (onamae)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
名目
めいもく (meimoku)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
有名無実
ゆうめいむじつ (yuumeimujitsu)
C1 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "name" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "名前", "おなまえ", "名目", "有名無実" based on context.
- 名前 (なまえ (namae) - Level: N5): Maps to "name" and is used when Refers to a person's name or the name of an object. 「お名前は？」.
- おなまえ (おなまえ (onamae) - Level: N5): Maps to "Name." and is used when The 'お' is an honorific prefix, making it more polite. Used when asking someone's name..
- 名目 (めいもく (meimoku) - Level: N2): Maps to "name; pretext; nominal; ostensible; facade" and is used when Refers to something being 'in name only' or 'nominal,' often implying that the reality or true purpose is different. It can also mean a 'pretext' or 'excuse.' Frequently used in phrases like 名目上.
- 有名無実 (ゆうめいむじつ (yuumeimujitsu) - Level: C1): Maps to "in name only" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "名前"
あなたの名前は何ですか？
What is your name?
Context for "おなまえ"
お名前は何ですか。
What is your name?
Context for "名目"
彼は名目上のリーダーで、実権は別の人が握っている。
He is the nominal leader, but someone else holds the real power.
Context for "有名無実"
私は有名無実に興味があります。
I am interested in in name only.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "あなたの ＿＿＿ は何ですか？" (Meaning: "What is your name?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "名前" is correct here because it represents "name" in the context: "What is your name?".